Airlines call a young person, flying without an older companion, an unaccompanied minor (UM). Most airlines offer special supervision for UMs and require it for UMs below a certain age. When they provide such supervision, the child is said to have Unaccompanied Minor Status. Even when you are not required to arrange UM Status, you may wish to do so for your peace of mind. However, UM Status is also costly, and restricts the flights that are available.

Each airline has its own UM rules, fees, and definition of "young". For instance, some airlines will not book someone with UM Status on a flight that involves a change of plane and none will book you on the last connecting flight of the day, unless it is the only flight. Some require you to pay for UM Status for all youths age 14 or less, that is, for everyone eligible for MathPath. For others, only youth age 11 or less are required, or sometimes even allowed, to pay for UM status.

In addition, with UM Status you are generally not allowed to make bookings on multiple airlines, even codeshare airlines. For instance, you probably cannot book a trip to camp that starts on Air Canada and switches to United. (A trip to camp entirely on Air Canada with a return entirely on United is ok, though you may have to buy separate tickets. However, even if you buy your ticket with Air Canada, you must meet all of the UM requirements of both Air Canada and United for this ticket to be honored both ways.)

So please check with your airline(s) and make sure your booking is allowed before you make a non-refundable booking. This usually means contacting a live person, although we have sometimes found that airline personnel don't always know their own rules; be sure you have the rules as stated on the airline website at your fingertips when you talk to their agent.

Below is a summary of the current UM situation (fall 2011), for all airlines that fly to Bradley International, with links where you can check for updates; see the bottom of this page. For further detail, see this website, or search on "unaccompanied minor".

Note: None of the comparative online services like Travelocity will allow you to book a child under 18 flying alone, at least if you state correctly that you are booking 0 adults. You must book directly with the airline, either through their website or by phoning them. (Sometimes for UM Status they insist that you phone them, which is a good idea anyway to make sure your booking is allowed.) However, you can use an online service to compare flights and prices and then contact the airline with the best price. Type in an older age so that the comparative online service lets you explore. But also note: the prices you find on the comparative websites might not be the same prices you find at the airline's own site or when you phone them. Also, Southwest Airlines (which we recommend) does not appear on any online site other than its own.

When you contact an airline to make a UM reservation they will ask for specific information about the person to whom they will hand over your child at the other end. Since this is personal information, we will post it on a private website with no public link. Starting in the spring, if your child has been admitted and registered for MathPath, you should have received an email giving you the link. If you do not have that link, please email Prof Maurer.

When a group of minors travels together, some airlines charge the whole group only the same UM fee they would charge to an individual. Therefore, it may be financially advantageous for students from the same area to travel together and share the one Unaccompanied Minor Fee – as well as more fun. (Sometimes the UM fee also gets you free checked bags and an onboard snack; it's always worth asking when you register.) Starting in early spring you will receive email from MathPath if there are other students who might be flying from your locality.

If you have a connecting flight and it is cancelled, do not worry. If you are flying with UM Status, either alone or in a group, the airline staff will not release you; they will make arrangements for an onward flight the same day since you are not traveling on the last flight of the day.

Airline       Mandatory minor   Minor fee      Fees for 3 bags
-------       ---------------   ----------     ---------------
Air Canada    to age 11 (n)     $100           $25, $35, ?
AirTran       to age 11         $49 (d)(m)     $15, $50, $50
American      to age 11         $100 (f)       $25, $35, $100 
Continental   to age 11         $100           $23, $32, $75/$100
Delta         to age 14         $100 (f)       $23, $32, $125
Frontier      to age 14         $50 (d)(m)     $20, $30, $50
Jet Blue      to age 14 (n)     $85            $0,  $35, $75 
Southwest     to age 11 (n)     $50            $0,  $0,  $50
United        to age 11         $99 (m)        $20, $30, $75
US Airways    to age 14 (c)     $100 (b)       $25, $35, $125

(b) first two bags free
(c) may only fly on nonstops; same plane with a stopover is not enough
(d) double for flights with connections
(f) per family (sometimes immediate, sometimes extended)
(m) one fee for multiple children (may require one reservation)
(n) may only fly on nonstop flights or with no plane change

You should click below to check the original sources for each airline to confirm the above, and to find out about yet more fine print about unaccompanied minors.

Air Canada
AirTran
American
Continental
Delta
Frontier
Jet Blue
Southwest
United
US Airways